High School Wrestling: Good Position Makes You a Takedown Machine

Nick and Tony Purler
Nick Purler was a three-time Missouri state wrestling champion as well as a 1994 NCAA All-American while at Oklahoma State University.  Nick lost only two matches in his high school career.  Nick's twin brother Tony was a two-time Missouri state champion and a 1993 NCAA champion while at the University of Nebraska.  Together they now run the very popular Purler Wrestling Academy.  So, these guys know all about the best wrestling moves for high school including takedowns. 

Nick and Tony Purler know a lot more than just moves though.  They really stress mental preparedness, positioning, hand fighting, and technique. 

Good Wrestling Position and Stance are Key Techniques

"My number one defense is my head.  My strongest defense is my hips," says Nick Purler in this training video.  When it comes to stance and position he stresses having a wide stance and being bent over enough so that your opponent can't read your shirt.  You don't want to be in a trophy stance.  If you're standing upright so that your opponent can read your shirt then you are not bent at the knees enough.  If you're down in a low stance you are ready to attack!  Don't be in  half-way wrestling stance.  Be like a sprinter ready to bolt out of the starting blocks or like a coiled up snake ready to strike. 

Good positioning on your feet makes you faster and stronger.  A good stance limits what your opponent can do to you.  If you have a good stance you're a smaller target.  You don't want to be a big target leaving more openings for your opponent!

Remember - your position makes you faster, stronger, and limits what your opponent can do to you.



When shooting takedowns you need deep level change, deep penetration, fast hands, and a fast trail leg as shown in the following video.  Nick says a good level change is a world-class wrestling technique.  He shows some wrestling tricks for a high crotch and a sweep single leg.



You Don't Need to Learn More Wrestling Moves

It's good to know many wrestling moves and counters.  However, simply learning more wrestling moves is not going to make you a more successful wrestler.  To become a better and more successful wrestler you need to master good positioning and good wrestling technique.  You need to become familiar with common situations and the best wrestling techniques to help you succeed in those situations.  Remember that good wrestling position is a huge factor in winning wrestling matches.